Fall, my favorite time of year. The energy of a new school season, football, a little nip in the air brings energy following the dog days of summer, and the change in colors also brings us to important holidays to share with loved ones, family, and friends. This season also marks some major milestones for our Nation and for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS).

Later this week we will be unveiling our Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) 2.0. It is a major enhancement to our initial roll-out, including tremendous step-improvements across many of our key service areas. In Transition and Employment, we have added increased access to transition mentoring support, a jobs board which gives access to job opportunities across the state, in all regions and searchable by skill, market and/or your MOS or “keyword-connected” to your professional employment interest. You also have access to current information on education programs, G.I. Bill access, SkillBridge programs, and the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). We will be advancing both Women veteran specific initiatives and Military Spouse support as well.

Regarding Benefits, we have partnered with ID.me in this upgrade, which will provide fast military or veteran status validation and enable direct and secure access for everyone to access their individual VA review and decision status on benefit claims and other requests. AI features have also been added to this new release. These upgrades will assist each veteran/spouse with guidance to better navigate a much larger number of support organizations, services, and needs.

Our Veteran and Family Support team continues to add partners and programs at an amazing rate. Dozens of new grant programs have been added to their portfolio. Grantees and many new national, state, and community non-profits and veterans services organizations are now accessible on this version of VVN, as well as one call access to the peer support professionals within our organization to support veterans and families facing the possibility of losing a home, food insufficiency, addiction, legal issues, access to healthcare, or other mental or behavioral wellness issues. Suicide risk assessment is a quick call away with the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline with 24/7 response to any individual or family member. You are worth it...become familiar with our programs and let us work with you to save a life and make all of our lives better.

Last year, the initial launch of VVN - unlike anything supporting veterans in any other state - was just a glimpse of what was to come. We had a few thousand “early adopters.” The feedback was helpful; the registration, taking 10-15 minutes on average, was considered exceedingly long. It’s now a 30 second effort. In the last three months, we have registered over 40,000 new veterans and spouses. There’s more coming: more community veteran-specific resources, “how-to” videos and programs, access to information on how to register for our Veterans Care Centers, new programs and exhibits at our Virginia War Memorial, even deals on veteran tickets at state amusement parks and sporting events, veterans clubs for hobbies and other activities. Check us out, give us your feedback. Tell us what you want next.  

August was a huge month for us. We started with a Veterans Benefits and Resource Fair, in partnership with the VA and dozens of state veterans support organizations at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Veterans began lining up before 8 a.m., and continued late into the afternoon, totaling over 1,300 veterans and family members in all. Hundreds initiated benefits claims for the first time, others received job advice and connections to employers in many different industries and markets.

Last month, we also organized and conducted a first ever Virtual Job Fair statewide. More than a hundred employers participated. Interested transitioning service members and veterans were introduced to companies in nearly every industry to learn about their company, open job opportunities, what skills they were seeking, and what needs they expected in the coming months. This opportunity also highlights our growing partnership with another top-notch Commonwealth of Virginia agency, Virginia Works.

They own the “Virginia Has Jobs” initiative, currently holding nearly 250,000 jobs across the state. We are all dedicated to retaining Virginia veterans and families; you make Virginia better, our companies, our schools, our neighborhoods, and our communities. Let us help you. Oh, and one more important message, if you are a veteran, or spouse, and you have any interest in DVS, yes WE WELCOME HIRING VETERANS and SPOUSES. If you are qualified and passionate about serving those that have served, we want to hear from you!

In early September, I was able to take several of our leaders to the National Association of State Department of Veterans Services (57 organizations within all states and territories) held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It’s a networking opportunity to share challenges and best practices. Takeaways were that your DVS is leading in many categories, including delivering the best performance in benefits services; best program for suicide prevention and opioid addiction services for veterans; and the VVN, including the ability to incorporate services to impact transition and employment, was awarded “best new program.” We are not near done, but I want to attest that all here are hard at work to improve our support to you and your families.

The biggest “beef” I have is that we still don’t have access to so many of you. Estimates are (nationwide) that two out of three veterans and families DON’T know about their state veteran agencies like DVS; they only know of the VA. That’s UNSATISFACTORY. Tell a friend. Those who don’t know are definitely missing out financially, on an opportunity, or early access before a situation becomes untenable. Tell a family member or a friend. Let’s go!!

Last, one of the most important freedoms that our military fights to protect is our right to vote. As you are probably aware, this is an election year here in the Commonwealth. We will elect our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and members of our House of Delegates. If you’re a Virginia resident, I can’t overemphasize how important it is to cast your ballot on Tuesday, November 4 (or even before - if you take advantage of early voting.) The men and women we elect to serve over the next two and four years in Richmond will be those who decide on legislation to benefit veterans and their families, taxes and other important issues. If you haven’t registered to vote, I urge you to contact your local registrar’s office today.

My very best wishes to all for a wonderful fall season. I look forward to seeing many of you in the months ahead. God bless you all. God bless those that "have the watch" and protect us around the globe. And may all of you remain safe and blessed with great health and happiness for your families and friends.

Chuck Zingler (USN, Ret.)
Commissioner

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) will celebrate the honor and achievements of veterans this Veterans Day at the 69th Annual Commonwealth's Veterans Day Ceremony, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The ceremony will be begin promptly at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Virginia War Memorial at 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA 23220 and will be broadcast live on WTVR CBS6.1 and 6.3 in Richmond or WTVR.com. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. We hope to see you there.

Pictured Above: General Gary M. Brito (left) with two veterans in attendance at the 2024 Commonwealth's Veterans Day Ceremony.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) works to make it as easy and convenient as possible for veterans and their family members to have access to team members nearby to assist them with learning about the programs and benefits available to them.

This is why DVS has 38 local offices throughout the Commonwealth from the Eastern Shore to the far Southwest, from Hampton Roads to Northern Virginia, from Southside to the Shenandoah Valley and everywhere in-between. Wherever a veteran or family member lives, a DVS office is no more than a short drive from their home.

In this edition of DVS eNews, we continue our series of profiles about these benefit offices and the team members who staff them. The DVS Manassas office located at 9300 West Courthouse Road, Suite 305, Manassas is where we spoke with Veteran Service Representative (VSR) Julie Pulsifer (pictured on left) and Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) Northern Regional Coordinator James Custodio (pictured on right).

James is a veteran and has been with DVS for over 11 years. James joined DVS while he was still serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and quickly realized he could empathize with the veterans coming to DVS for support.

Julie has been with DVS for a year-and-a-half and her partner is a Marine Corps veteran. When asked why she was interested in helping veterans, she said “I know the difficulties they go through firsthand. I wanted to be in a position with the power to help veterans more than just giving basic information.”

Both noted that the Manassas office is usually very busy with three VSRs and four VVFS team members, each counseling an average of 8 clients each weekday in person, with many more through phone or email communication. Most clients make an appointment through the Virginia Veterans Network.

Julie has a passion for helping veterans with their benefits claims. “It always feels good to help get a veteran or family member access to what they deserve, but I take pride in the fact that we can sometimes help make someone's worst moment into something better. Unfortunately, I have had a few veterans pass while their disability claim is still processing. While nothing can bring a loved one back, being able to help surviving spouses get the disability claim continued to receive the back pay their spouse would have gotten and then get their survivors benefits makes things a little bit better knowing that they are going to be better taken care of and not have to worry about the change in their finances as much,” she said.

James, on the other hand, is assisting veterans and their families with other needs such as mental health, food insecurity, and homelessness. James recalls a time when he was able to assist a veteran, “I have one story where a veteran had been put into the VA Fiduciary program with the reason seeming to be that a doctor had put in a letter stating that they were 100% disabled and therefore couldn’t manage their own finances. However, after further communication with his doctor, I was able to facilitate three-way calls to the VA Fiduciary Program and to the veteran’s doctor, resolving this issue.

“After several phone calls, faxes with documentation, and patience, the veteran was removed from the Fiduciary program. In the meantime, I coordinated resources for food and other financial assistance since there were delays in getting the veteran’s disability check, and they didn’t have money for food as a result. It was very satisfying helping the veteran navigate that situation, especially because I have every reason to believe the veteran would not have been successful alone.”

Thank you to Julie, James, and the entire Manassas office team for the work they do helping Virginia veterans and their families every day. If you are a veteran or family member seeking advice and assistance with your benefits, you can find your nearest DVS Benefits Office online or schedule an appointment on our new online portal, the Virginia Veterans Network (VVN).

Congratulations to DVS Virginia Veterans and Family Support (VVFS) Director Brandi Jancaitis, Housing & Criminal Justice Director Donna Harrison, Housing & Criminal Justice Coordinator Desiree Taylor and the entire team of DVS Veteran Justice Specialists (VJS) for the recognition of the success of the Justice Involved Services (JIS) program in the Commonwealth by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The VA’s Office of Suicide Prevention just recently released a toolkit entitled Veteran Intercept Model for use by community coalitions across the U.S. interested in better serving justice involved veterans which highlights the work of the DVS program in Intercept 5. The toolkit was created as a partnership between the VA Veterans Justice Program and SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

The toolkit includes the following information about VVFS and how our Justice Involved Services team works to serve incarcerated and other veterans involved in the criminal justice system Virginia:

Virginia Veteran and Family Support, a section of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, provides Justice Involved Services (JIS) to justice-involved Veterans at different intercept points in the criminal justice system. The section’s staff includes a dedicated Veteran Justice Specialist (VJS), who provides direct services to justice-involved Veterans and service members interfacing with courts, in jails and prisons, and upon reentry to the community.

The VJS plays a key role in Intercept 5 by coordinating with Reentry Councils, Veteran Treatment Docket programs, the US Department of Veterans Affairs VJO specialists, HCRV specialists, and probation/parole officers to support discharge planning and resource connections for Veterans under supervision. They provide direct case management to Veterans on probation and parole, intentionally partnering with supervision officers to identify Veterans in need of support and connect them to appropriate resources.

Through these partnerships, VJSs can proactively identify Veterans approaching release and begin discharge planning early, often within 120 days of release. These case management and outreach efforts represent best practices for suicide prevention. They bridge gaps between criminal justice supervision and the Veteran support network, ensuring continuous care and connection to life-sustaining resources.

“Through proactive outreach, case management, and strong partnerships, our Veteran Justice Specialists work hand-in-hand with courts, corrections, and community partners to ensure justice-involved veterans receive the care, housing, and resources they need to thrive after incarceration,” said Brandi Jancaitis, DVS Director, Virginia Veteran and Family Support.

To learn more about the VVFS Justice Involved Services program, click here.

The Virginia War Memorial hosted the Commonwealth’s Patriot Day Ceremony to honor and remember the victims of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on Thursday, September 11 at 11 a.m.

Over 300 persons including members of the Board of Veterans Services (BVS), Virginia Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Joyce Reed, DVS Deputy Commissioner Steven Combs and Chief of Staff Michelle Crone, and active-duty service members gathered in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory - Global War on Terrorism to commemorate this official annual day of mourning for the thousands who died in the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, and the downed jet in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Virginia War Memorial Director Dr. Clay Mountcastle served as emcee of the annual ceremony and noted how the horror of these unprovoked attacks that killed thousands and wounded thousands more brought together all Americans in demonstrating their patriotism. “That spirit, that resilience, that coming together was simply unbelievable. I’m nostalgic for it,” said Dr. Mountcastle. “I find myself wishing for that feeling again that we all felt in the days and weeks following 9/11.”

Retired Rear Admiral Samuel Cox served as the keynote speaker. He currently serves as the Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command. In his remarks, Admiral Cox shared how he was on duty in the Middle East on September 11, 2001, when he heard the news of the attacks. He said that many of his fellow Navy Intelligence Officers were killed when the hijacked jet struck the Pentagon, so the attack affected him personally. He cautioned that those terrorist groups behind the 9/11 attacks still exist and said all Americans must remain vigilant that these threats to our Nation remain to this day.

The ceremony also included remarks from John Riley, president of the Freedom Flag Foundation, which is dedicated to passing on the history of the 9/11 attacks, the placement of a memorial wreath, and the ringing of the ship’s bell of the USS Virginia three times in remembrance. Patriotic music was provided by the Virginia Barbershop Chorus and Taps was played by Sergeant Bradley Kirtner of the 29^th Infantry Division Band (pictured above).

On December 13, service members, veterans, families, community volunteers, and sponsors will participate in the moving tribute to our nation’s heroes and their families by placing decorative wreaths on the grave sites at Virginia’s three state veterans cemeteries in Amelia, Dublin, and Suffolk. Wreaths are placed in honor or in memory of those who served in our nation’s armed forces. Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) joins hundreds of national, state, tribal, and private cemeteries across the Nation in this national, volunteer-led effort.

“This annual event not only aims to honor those who have served, but to also teach the next generation about the cost of freedom. Families, volunteers from local veterans services organizations, youth organizations, and members of the community come together to make this a very special day each year,” noted DVS Deputy Commissioner Steven Combs.

This annual observance at each cemetery could not happen without the outstanding support of the Horton Wreath Society in Suffolk, the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery Volunteers in Dublin, and the Friends of the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia.

This year these volunteer groups have the monumental task of raising funds to purchase wreaths for more than 33,000 placements. Horton Wreath Society Treasurer Maryann Payne highlighted the significance of the annual celebration by noting: “My father is laid to rest at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, among thousands of brave men and women who served our country. Every December, thanks to the Horton Wreath Society and generous supporters, a wreath is placed on each grave—a quiet but powerful reminder that these heroes are never forgotten. This year, we need help to make sure every veteran is honored. If you can, please consider sponsoring a wreath. It’s more than a tradition—it’s a promise to remember.”

If you are interested in supporting this effort by sponsoring a wreath or volunteering for wreath placement or removal, please contact any of the above linked organizations to learn more.

Recent Foundation Events

Thursday, August 21 – VA Richmond Veterans Benefits and Resource Fair

VSF was proud to serve as the sponsor of the VA Richmond Veterans Benefits and Resource Fair, an event dedicated to connecting veterans and their families with essential services. The fair provided direct access to benefit specialists, community organizations, and support programs. VSF Chairman Joel Griffin opened the event with remarks highlighting the importance of collaboration and community support for Virginia’s veterans. Our team was grateful for the opportunity to share the Foundation’s mission and raise awareness about how donor contributions directly impact the lives of Virginia veterans.

Friday, August 29 – Piankatank River Golf Course Fundraiser

More than 70 participants came together at the scenic Piankatank River Golf Course for a beautiful day of golf, fellowship, and generosity. The event not only brought the community together but also raised valuable funds to support the Foundation’s mission.

Saturday, August 30 – Trustee Brandy Jones’ Birthday Fundraiser

The following day, VSF Trustee Brandy Jones celebrated her birthday by hosting a fundraiser that featured food, drinks, live entertainment, and an exciting auction. Her decision to share her special day by raising awareness and contributions for VSF was both inspiring and impactful, and we are grateful for her leadership and generosity.

Thank You for Your Support

We are grateful to everyone who attended, sponsored, and supported these recent events. Your generosity makes it possible for the Foundation to continue meeting the needs of Virginia’s veterans and their families. Together, we are building a stronger community of care, connection, and opportunity for those who have served. Thank you for standing with us in this mission.

Kayla Arestivo
Executive Director
Virginia Veterans Services Foundation

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation Presents Upcoming Leadership In America Lecture: America Returns: The 81st Anniversary of the Battles of Leyte and Leyte Gulf.

Please join us Wednesday, October 29 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond as we welcome Michael Bell, PhD (COL, USA, Ret.), Executive Director of the World War II Museum’s Institute for the Study of War and Democracy. He is a combat veteran, historian, and strategist and holds a MA and a PhD in American history from the University of Maryland, College Park and a MS in national security strategy from the National Defense University, where he was a distinguished graduate of the National War College.

Dr. Bell’s talk will be followed by personal remarks from Margaret Chase Hager, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Clarence Ryland “Kip” Chase who was attached to the headquarters of General Douglas McArthur.

Register online by October 22 for your reservation at VaWarMemorial.org/LIA.